Free health checks to be offered during Tropic Care Maui County

June 6, 2013

LAHAINA - The U.S. Military, Maui County Mayor's Office and state Department of Health announced that through Tropic Care Maui County, free medical, dental and vision care will be offered to the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai this month.

The volunteers will be in West Maui at Lahaina Civic Center on June 11-12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Performing the health care services will be 400 uniformed personnel, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, ophthalmologists, dentists and others from active and reserved ranks of the Armed Forces around the United States.

Mayor Alan Arakawa arranged for this free program through an official request to the U.S. Department of Defense in 2011.

He said, "This program will provide vital health care services for residents, especially those who don't have or cannot afford any medical insurance... I am confident that hundreds, if not thousands, of Maui County residents will benefit from these services."

The military personnel are participating in a rapid deployment exercise.

Free clinics will be open to all. Identification is not required, and no fees will be charged. Health services will likely include physical examinations, vision checks (and single-lens glasses), basic dental care and nutrition counseling, among others.

Joe Pontanilla, the Mayor's Office staff member tasked with helping to coordinate the program, said, "Military personnel will also be equipped to administer basic lab tests, dispense medication, fill cavities and many other important health care services. This is truly a blessing for our community."

The clinics will not accept advance appointments; participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Come prepared to wait in line with any needed essentials such as water, along with a folding chair and umbrella for shade at some locations.